US temporary help jobs rose by 3.4% in January, a gain of 1,800 jobs, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The temp penetration rate — temporary jobs as a percent of total employment — held steady at 2.03% in January from December.

“After two weak months, as this economic expansion matures, one must wonder how much steam is left in the temporary staffing market in this business cycle,” said Tony Gregoire, director of research, the Americas, at Staffing Industry Analysts.

January’s job numbers reflect the annual revisions the BLS makes to the numbers.

Total nonfarm jobs rose by 200,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis in December. The US unemployment rate remained 4.1% in January for the fourth consecutive month. The college-level unemployment rate — which can serve as a proxy for professional employment — also remained unchanged at 2.1%.

The acceleration in economic activity appears to be spilling over to the labor market, according to Gad Levanon, chief economist, North America, at The Conference Board. Job growth is strengthening despite the low unemployment rate, and there are no signs that the economy or the labor market are about to slow down.

“The unemployment rate has been stuck at 4.1% for the fourth month in a row, but there is very little doubt that with such solid job growth, it is headed downwards,” Levanon said in a statement. “This year, the unemployment rate is likely to reach its lowest rate since the 1960s.”

January’s positive employment figures are a reason for workers to celebrate and for employers to think ahead, according to Randstad Sourceright CEO Rebecca Henderson. “America’s increasingly tight job market is driving companies to invest more in their workforce, not only to retain high performers, but to attract top talent,” Henderson said in a statement.

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